An opposition member was suspended from today’s sitting of the Selangor legislative assembly, as the alleged sand-mining scandal continued to haunt the state government led by Pakatan Rakyat.

NONE Speaker Teng Chang Khim (right) ejected and suspended Abdul Shukor Idrus (BN-Kuang) for defying his directive.

Abdul Shukor was seeking clarification on why his motion to discuss the sand mining scandal had been rejected.

Teng refused to entertain his request, stating that Abdul Shukor had failed to cite the appropriate Standing Order to allow him to raise an unscheduled issue.

In a heated argument lasting a good 10 minutes, Teng pointed out that unless the appropriate Standing Order is cited, he could not allow discussion of any issue not included in the day’s proceedings.

“This is not a class on House regulations, this is an assembly sitting. If you do not understand the rules, I suggest you sit down,” Teng told Abdul Shukor.

Abdul Shukor in turn refused to back down, insisting that the ball was in the speaker’s court to provide an answer.

“Since I have already raised the issue, it is simply up to you to give an answer,” he said repeatedly.

Following Abdul Shukor’s ejection and suspension, the entire opposition bench staged a walk out in protest of the ruling.

‘No justice’

Speaking to journalists in the state assembly annex building, Abdul Shukor said he had anticipated that the state government would not entertain his motion.

NONE “What is the point of being in a state assembly that does not give me justice, where I cannot voice the people’s desires and concerns?” asked Abdul Shukor (wearing tie) , who is also Selangor Umno information chief.

“What I see today are all lies. How can one company, KSSB (Kuala Semesta Sdn Bhd) be given such wide powers to control all the sand in the state? This has never happened in history.

“They (KSSB) are taking it so easy... have you ever heard of a two-year-old company giving out a six-month bonus? How long (should) the people (continue to) be cheated?”

Abdul Shukor was referring to allegations of theft of sand from mining activities in Selangor, an issue which came to a head in May.

An inquiry held by the Selangor Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency has since cleared the state-owned KSSB of any corrupt practice in the matter.